Bank Mammographer - Band 7

at  Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

The post holder will be responsible for providing a safe, efficient and effective imaging and Breast Mammography service for the Trust and South Essex Screening service in accordance with Screening and Trust protocols. They will ensure a high-quality Mammography service is maintained at all times.
The post holder will support the superintendent in organising staff and workload to maintain adequate staffing in each area and respond to changes in demand in a positive and constructive manner
The post holder will demonstrate expertise in Breast Imaging techniques by promoting high standards of diagnostic radiography through best practice and education and by maintaining and developing high standards of patient care and best practice amongst peers, student colleagues and users of the breast imaging service. They will take an active role in the development of the breast mammography service in order to continuously improve patient safety and experience and will be responsible for the organisation and coordination of the staff rotating through the mammography rooms. In order to maximise the available resources the post holder with liaise with Radiologists, Radiographers, Nurses, requesting doctors and clerical staff on a regular basis.
The senior radiographer will support the breast unit senior team in achieving the department and trust objectives and will supervise and advise newly qualified/junior radiographers, undergraduate students and assistant practitioners.
Undertaking screening responsibilities.
Taking responsibility for justification of imaging clients who are over the current upper age limit for screening as self-referrals.
When working on the mobile screening vans, be able to work under own initiative, making clinical decisions when necessary. Need to act on the QA information gathered. To liaise with the host mobile site staff for supplies (water electricity etc.).
To be able to relay important, detailed and sometimes difficult information to patients and other health service professionals.
To be able to rapidly assess patient personality type and respond accordingly to elicit relevant clinical history within time allowed, while also explaining the procedure, gaining consent, informing and advising the patient.
Operate in accordance with NICE Guidelines and Quality Standards in line with Trust policy.
As an experienced autonomous Radiographer producing mammograms of optimum quality including specialist mammography services to all patients, across a broad range of imaging techniques, maintaining a quality experience for the clients while adhering to time constraints.
When x-raying the breast, the radiographer must be aware of the very sensitive nature of the examination and have empathy with the vulnerability of the patient/client.
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest Trust in the country, serving a population of 1.2 million people. Our newly formed Trust, comprising acute hospital sites at Broomfield in Chelmsford, Basildon, and Southend, is determined to provide the best health services for its local population. We are a well-led, high-performing, and innovative organisation working in the best interests of the people we serve.
With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff, we can now do more and go further in delivering health services to our local communities.
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

1. Communication
   To attend the departmental staff and audit meetings.
   To be able to relay important, detailed and sometimes difficult information to patients and other health service professionals.
   To be able to rapidly assess patient personality type and respond accordingly to elicit relevant clinical history within time allowed, while also explaining the procedure, gaining consent, informing and advising the patient.
   To liaise with the Radiologists, Radiographers, Nurses, requesting Doctors, and clerical staff, to maximise the available resources.
   To assist the superintendent and co-ordinate in their absence the day-to-day organisation of the Mammography rooms to ensure maximum benefit to patient care.
   To be willing to communicate knowledge, in the form of presentations, to different disciplines.
   To liaise with nursing and clerical staff to ensure accurate, appropriate and helpful patient information / appointment letters are produced.
   To promote a collaborative team working environment across the Trust.
   To treat all individuals with respect and courtesy and ensure that all communications: verbal, written and electronic promote an open clear exchange of information.
2. Analytical and Planning
   Actively support clinical colleagues in implementing new practices when necessary.
   To take active part in clinical audit where appropriate, supporting the Divisional Audit Programme and striving for professional excellence.
   Operate in accordance with NICE Guidelines and Quality Standards in line with Trust policy.
   To actively participate in the QA Programme, ensuring daily and weekly testing of all equipment, ensuring optimum conditions are in place before commencing clinical work.
   Able to work under own initiative, making clinical decisions when necessary.
   Prepare the working day clinics for the mobile and organise the work to be returned to the base unit.
   Manage the pre appointed clients to remain within optimal visit time whenever possible on the mobile vans.
3. Clinical Duties
   As an experienced autonomous Radiographer producing mammograms of optimum quality including specialist mammography services to all patients, across a broad range of imaging techniques, maintaining a quality experience for the clients while adhering to time constraints.
   When x-raying the breast, the radiographer must be aware of the very sensitive nature of the examination and have empathy with the vulnerability of the patient/client.
   To maintain a safe, efficient and high standard of Radiography.
   To take senior level professional responsibility for ensuring compliance at all times with the legislation IRR99 and IR(ME)R 2000 and the radiation local rules to ensure that during the course of work standards of radiation protection are maintained for self, patients, other staff and members of the public.
   To lead in the provision of the radiographic technique for stereotactic biopsy and guidewire localisation prior to surgery.
   To be competent at assessment clinic techniques.
   Taking responsibility for justification of imaging clients who are over the current upper age limit for screening as self-referrals.
   When working on the mobile screening vans, be able to work under own initiative, making clinical decisions when necessary. Need to act on the QA information gathered. To liaise with the host mobile site staff for supplies (water electricity etc.).
   Have to be prepared for fainting, tears or any other medical emergency. Be aware of emergency procedures when working off site on the mobile (999 etc.).
   To ensure that patient welfare and needs are attended to at all times.
   To ensure compliance with protocols and procedures in relation to ionising radiation in the areas under their supervision.
   To ensure that all radiographic examinations undertaken are carried out with due regard to the IR(ME)R regulations, and under these regulations, to act as Justifier and Operator for radiographic examinations.
   To achieve and maintain competence in Imaging modalities as determined by the Superintendents including but not limited to: Breast imaging and stereotactic procedures.
   To organise the daily running of examination room to ensure maximum benefit to patient care.
   To maintain standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the working environment and of equipment. This will include dealing with bodily fluids and dirty linen according to Health and Safety Polices.
   To supervise and participate in the training of undergraduate radiography students/trainee assistant practitioners and newly qualified/junior radiographers within the clinical setting.
   To support the work of Assistant practitioners and to check resulting mammograms. To act at all times in accordance with the HCPC code of conduct.
4. Policy and Service Development
   To maintain professional credibility by awareness of current research and information.
   To assist in the formulation and updating of policies / protocols for Trust approval via Director of Screening, within scope of practice.
   Actively support clinical colleagues in implementing new practices when necessary.
   Implement national guidance and changes to professional radiographic practice as appropriate.
   Peer review of images taken to maintain high level of competence. Actively participate in departmental audits including those of the QMS.
5. Financial and Physical Resources
   To be responsible for the appropriate use, storage and daily maintenance of expensive x-ray equipment.
   To maintain accuracy of input to computer records relating to Imaging examinations in order to ensure availability of accurate statistical data to the Trust.
   Ensure a safe environment is maintained for all users of the service by complying with COSHH, Health & Safety Policies and infection control policies.
   To ensure that all equipment faults including mobile units are reported immediately to the appropriate support service, and appropriate actions taken.
   Report clinical and non-clinical incidents, complaints, near misses and serious untoward incidents according to Trust protocols.
   To maintain consumables stock levels within the allocated work area, including mobile units, facilitating optimal stock control.
   To ensure effective use of resources at all times.
   To ensure the safe use of all radiographic equipment, including complex and highly specialised equipment.
   To be involved in the care, maintenance, repair and quality assurance of the equipment in Mammography and to keep records of such.
   To work to agreed advanced clinical skill level, adhering to Trust and departmental policies.
6. Staff Management .
   To provide professional supervision, guidance and training to all more junior members.
   To continually maintain & update own professional development and demonstrate an active interest in CPD.
   To assist in promoting a learning environment within the Division by maintaining an evidence based and on going CPD portfolio and demonstrating a proactive commitment to improving standards of service and quality of work.
   To develop skills and expertise in the specialised areas in line with the Personal
7. Information Resources
   To comply with local rules with regard to the computerised collection of radiation dose measurement for patient examinations.
   To be competent on the Radiology Information System (Soloton): recording all details of patients’ examinations after training.
   To know and understanding the National Breast Screening Service database, and be able to interpret and enter patient data accurately
   To apply clinical governance rules in all aspects and report promptly any cause for concern, taking action when appropriate to remedy concerns.
   To ensure the maintenance of high standards of patient care and professional standards throughout the area of responsibility, responding to patient feedback such as friends and family and patient satisfaction surveys.
   Accurately maintain computer records of patient attendance, ensuring all radiographic examinations are registered & completed on the Radiology Information System (RIS), NHSBSP databases and images stored, in line with data protection principles.
   Attend and participate in health promotion days for the community and the unit.
   Make sure the information leaflets are available for distribution, updating when necessary
   To ensure patient confidentiality at all times, adhering to Caldicott and the Data Protection act.
   Responsible for Information Governance on the screening van